Trip Report
Basic Backpacking Field Trip - Pete Lake
Overnight trip to Pete Lake as a field trip for the Seattle Basic Backpacking Course.
Elyse Verstelle
June 09, 2025
- Sat, Jun 7, 2025 — Sun, Jun 8, 2025
- Basic Backpacking Field Trip - Pete Lake
- Pete & Spectacle Lakes
- Backpacking
- Successful
-
- Road suitable for all vehicles
-
Route to Pete Lake was snow free with many small creek crossings. All creeks and rivers had small stones or large trees across the water allowing hikers to cross without wetting their feet or needing to remove shoes. Of note, the largest crossing of Cooper River has a well established crossing across two very large trees a little north of the main trail.
- Campsites at Pete Lake are spacious and plentiful at the far east end of the lake with excellent views of Lemah Mountain. Additional sites can be found hugging the north end of the lake with another moderately large site for multiple tents at the far west end of the lake. Eastern end of the lake has the best views and lake access for swimming.
- Water is incredibly cold and not yet comfortable for swimming.
- Very warm/almost too hot weather for hiking but perfect for relaxing at the lake.
- Mosquitos were out but not a nuisance with moderate application of bug spray.
- Great group of backpackers and an overall wonderful trip!
